Trump signs Laken Riley Act, expanding detention of undocumented immigrants
Key Points.
The law mandates detention of undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes or theft before conviction.
Named after Laken Riley, a victim of a killing by an undocumented immigrant.
Critics warn it could lead to mass detentions for minor offences.
The law has sparked debate over constitutional rights and its potential to overwhelm detention facilities.
Trump frames the law as a crucial step to combat illegal immigration and crime.
President Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act, which mandates that individuals in the U.S. illegally who are accused of violent crimes or theft be detained and potentially deported, even before conviction. Named after Laken Riley, a nursing student killed by an undocumented immigrant, the law has raised concerns about mass detentions, especially for minor offenses. While conservatives support it as a strong measure against illegal immigration, critics argue it could lead to constitutional violations and unnecessary suffering for detainees. Trump has suggested this could be the first of many enforcement actions.